One of the most important responsibilities of coaching at the youth level is to provide each player the greatest opportunity to improve his/her skills.  This is also one of the most rewarding aspects of your job. These years are critical in a player's development, because most skills and athletic attributes will never be maximized unless there is a solid base from youth hockey.

In preparation for each of the past five Winter Olympics, each coach has committed a major portion of the on-ice practice time to over-speed skill training.  At least two days each week, the main objective for the day was elevating our comfort zone, because we knew by the end of the season we'd have to be comfortable with all our offensive and defensive skills at this elevated tempo.

Consider that to compete successfully with the best teams in the Olympics, every shift has to be played at the highest possible tempo - - all out effort is a given.  Furthermore, even with the adrenalin flowing and the effort pushed to a maximum, the most successful teams will pass, shoot, and handle the puck comfortably in every shift.  Puck control and skill are more critical in the Olympic Games than at any other level, because the officials call the game as it is written in the rule book.  Interference and hooking are less effective defensive crutches, and the team which controls the puck more of the time usually wins.

To prepare for 2 1/2 hour games, our Olympic teams would have many 2 1/2 hour practices at a tempo that simulated the biggest game of the year.  The structure of the practice was planned within the following guidelines.

1. Players are told in advance this is an over-speed practice, and their job is to attempt each drill at a pace that is uncomfortably fast.

2. On over-speed days, the coaches have to explain new drills within a timed (one or two minute) rest interval.  Familiar drills can be organized with little or no explanation.

3. All rest periods for the entire practice must be adequate to allow recovery.  This is the single most important criteria if a well-planned practice is to have a positive impact on skills.

4. If we also want the entire workout to prepare for the endurance required in a long game, the rest intervals should not be so long that the heart rates drop below 70% of maximum.  Endurance is a priority that need not be part of some youth practices, because skill development is much more important.  So, if a coach is to make an error in timing the rest intervals, it is better to allow too much rest and sacrifice the endurance component of practice.

5. The performance of skills deteriorates as practice gets longer.  First, it is impossible to perform and learn skills correctly if we're tired.  Secondly, as the ice gets cut up, skills will suffer.  Finally, as players begin to get tired or bored, their focus is often lost, and skill development is compromised.

6. Therefore, the earlier drills in an over-speed practice should be the most difficult and creative. As players lose the ability or focus to make quick decisions and perform difficult skills, the coach should switch first to drills with fewer passes.  Then, when that tempo is burning out,  the coach should switch when players are not able to carry the puck and shoot at high tempo.  At the ending of practice you should get rid of the pucks and focus on skating drills that will include timed skating intervals, where the objective of each drill is skating speed, quickness, and agility. For college and Olympic teams, this portion might be 45 minutes long.

7. Remember, at any time the skills are not performed with concentration and speed, start a new series of drills at the next easier level of skill.

8. There isn't time for standing around, and coaches should learn to teach on the move.

9. Each drill should take about 10-20 seconds with rest periods of about one minute; so the simplest approach is to start a new drill every 75 seconds.  Late in the practice some work intervals can be slightly longer.  These can be team flow drills with a lot of passing, or they can be competitive drills like 3-on-3 or 3-on-2.  But, players should skate the length of the rink two or three times in each drill.

10. Carry the puck and shoot at high speed.

11. Get rid of the pucks when there is not enough concentration (or the ice is too cut up) to maintain tempo and skill.

12. Players strive for high tempo and execution of skills.  Coaches create the right environment by allowing adequate rest.  There will be many times when players lose the puck or wipe out attempting a fast corner.